Saturday, 26 October 2013

If you haven't already visited the Whitby Museum in Pannett Park, surely these photographs will tempt you? It's simply the nicest museum in the country ...

There's something there for all the family ...

Who would want to miss the Hand of Glory? It was believed that using the mummified hand of a hanged man as a candle holder would enable a thief to cast a charm that would send the household to sleep ...

The replica of the Tempest Prognosticator -

unfortunately Dr Merryweather of Hutton Rudby and Whitby did not make his fortune with this leech-powered barometer

A glimpse of a few of the toys on display ...

dinosaurs, fossils ...

the ship carved by French prisoners of war from the bones from their meat ration ...

more tiny ships ...

of particular interest to this blog, the Letter of Marque of Michael Langborne, which set him up as a licensed pirate ...

I have only mentioned a fraction of the fascinating things to be seen ... there is so much to see ... plenty of Whitby history on display ...

and there is a fascinating exhibition on at the moment about Bram Stoker and Whitby, based on ongoing research by members of the Whitby Lit & Phil - where did Stoker stay? which local characters appear in Dracula?

and before you leave the museum to admire the view of the Abbey, don't forget to visit the café!

Friday, 25 October 2013

The iron market was but thinly attended to-day, and there was not much business transacted. Prices are still tending downwards owing to the want of enquiry, the following being the quotations: – No. 1, 48s; No. 3, 44s 6d, f.o.b.; No. 4, 43s 6d; forge 43s net; truck brands 6d less, Bars very flat, but no specifications are coming to hand. Plates keep firm as makers have work in hand.

EXPLOSION AT MIDDLESBROUGHEIGHT PERSONS INJURED

Shortly before seven o'clock on Wednesday morning an explosion occurred at Messrs Hopkins, Gilkes, and Co's Teesside Ironworks, Middlesbrough. Although the explosion is not accompanied by much injury to property, yet the results were such as to place the lives of eight persons in jeopardy.

At the time named a number of men employed in their works were sitting around a ball furnace getting their breakfast before commencing work, when a portion of refuse from the iron in the furnace, which is known as "tap" or "cinder," fell out of the furnace into the ash hole, which is always supplied with water; and the "tap" being heated to such an intensity that it ran like water; an explosion at once took place, and inflicted scalds and burns on a boy named Jeremiah Modigan and seven men, named John Barrit, Thomas Reddan, Michael McManus, Arthur Lochrane, Owen Thomas, John Shean, and Francis Fillijalick.

The two last-named were taken to their homes, their injuries not being so severe, but the other six were very severely burned, and they were conveyed to the North Riding Infirmary.

GUISBOROUGHACCIDENT AT CHALONER MINE

While a man named William Smith was charging a hole he had drilled in the ironstone with powder, preparatory to firing it, by some means the powder caught fire, and exploded, completely blowing the man over and seriously injuring his face, which got dreadfully burnt. He was afterwards removed to the Miner's Accident Hospital at Guisborough.

Lloyd's Committee has posted the screwsteamer James Mason as missing. She sailed from Cardiff with a cargo of coals for Gibraltar, and has not been seen since. She was a steamer of 870 tons gross, 99 nominal h.p., built at Middlesbrough in 1872 classed 100 A1 at Lloyd's, and owned by Messrs Dixon and Harris, of London. She was worth about £18,000, and her cargo about £12,000.

Friday, 18 October 2013

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Local Board for the District of Guisbro', in the County of York, are prepared to receive TENDERS for the removal of house refuse from premises, and the cleansing of earth closets, privies, ashpits, and cesspools, and for the carting away of street sweepings within their district for twelve months, commencing on the 1st March next, on either or both of the following conditions, viz:-

1. The refuse, night soil, ashes, manure, &c., so removed to be the property of the contractor
2. The same to be the property of the Board. All the manure and other matters aforesaid must be removed to the Board's depot, and in a proper cart or carts provided for them.

The Contractor will be required to enter into an agreement with the Board for the due performance of his duties, a draft of which agreement can be seen at my office at any time between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
Sealed Tenders to be sent in to me on or before the 26th inst.

MICHAEL HUNT, Surveyor,
Fountain-street, Guisbrough

From The Weekly Exchange
(price One Penny)

Thursday 1 March 1877

GUISBRO' RURAL SANITARY AUTHORITY

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Authority was held on Tuesday, Mr D T Petch in the chair. Mr Cully, the Government Inspector for the Northern District was present, and there was a larger attendance of Guardians than usual.

The Clerk (Mr Buchannan) reported that proceedings for the closing of Agaer's property at Coatham, were pending before the magistrates. Mr Coulson had connected his drain at Coatham. Mr Semple had asked if the Board had assumed the responsibility of keeping the drain in order, when he (the clerk) had informed him that the junction had been made by order of the Authority, and the Authority were prepared to bear the onus of the act. In the matter of Harrison's claim for surveying Moorsholm, the clerk was instructed to offer him again the sum of £6. 2s in full settlement of his claim without prejudice.

Mr Cully then addressed the Board at considerable length on the extension of the district of the Medical Officer. Stokesley, South Stockton and Redcar ought to be included in the district, and he thought the Local Government Board would use pressure to compel them to come in. The district with these extensions would be a workable one, and might be effficiently superintended and more economically than the present more restricted district.

When these alterations were made, Mr Cully pointed out that it would be best for the Authority to engage their Medical Officer for a term of years. He proposed a meeting of representatives from the Guardians and Local Board interested at Middlesbrough, perhaps on Wednesday next. When he met these representatives he would be better prepared to lay the scheme before them.

Some further discussion having taken place on the matter, the report of the Medical Officer (Dr Keith) was read and adopted. A death from typhoid fever was reported as having occurred in Pearl-street, Saltburn, and the officer was of opinion it had arisen from the air being poisoned with sewer gas. The owner had intimated his willingness to have the whole of the house drainage ventilated and put in an efficient state.

The call upon the various townships in the district of the Authority was signed, the total amount being £297. 16s. 4d. for special, and £795 for general expenses. This was the whole of the business.

Friday, 11 October 2013

WILL GIVE A
GRAND ENTERTAINMENT,
On THURSDAY EVENING, March 1st, 1877.
For the Benefit of the
NORTH RIDING INFIRMARY AND
COTTAGE HOSPITAL,

Under the distinguished Patronage and presence of H W F BOLCKOW, Esq., M.P., the Worshipful the MAYOR of MIDDLESBROUGH (D D Wilson, Esq.,) including the Members of the House Committee and Medical Staff of the North Riding Infirmary and Cottage Hospital, and the leading gentlemen of the town and district.

Plan of Reserved Seats may be seen and seats secured at Mr S LEACH'S, 44, Wilson-street.

EDWIN T SHIELDS, Hon. Secretary.

Secretary's Office, 98, Corporation-road

OPENING OF THE CENTRAL TEMPERANCE HALL, MIDDLESBRO'

In connection with the opening of the above Hall, the following MEETINGS will be held:-

MONDAY, March 5, Tea Party and Public Meeting
TUESDAY, March 6, Monstre Templar Demonstration
WEDNESDAY, March 7, Grand Alliance Meeting
THURSDAY, March 8, Popular Entertainment
FRIDAY, March 9, Lecture by Mr JOHN PATON.

TERMS
English in all its branches ... ... £1. 1s. 0d
Music, as well as all other extras, ... £0. 10s. 0d
Great attention will be paid to Manners and Behaviour.
Pupils prepared for the Oxford and Cambridge examinations.
There will be a few Vacancies for Boarders after the Midsummer holidays. Terms moderate and inclusive.

SELECT DAY SCHOOL AND EVENING CLASSES
BROUGHAM-STREET ACADEMY, Middlesbrough. Designed to impart a sound and comprehensive education, on strictly moderate terms.

...................................

DANCING,
MR B BRUCE-SMITH'S ASSEMBLIES as follows:-
MONDAY, 3 to 5pm, for Ladies and Juveniles.
MONDAY, 7 to 10pm, for Learners.
FRIDAY, 7.45pm, for Improvement.
The New Valse "Trois Temps" is taught.
Special arrangements for the new valse "Trois Temps," private lessons, families, schools, and parties of eight. –